Virat Kohli's record-extending 52nd one-day international century laid the groundwork for India's 17-run win over South Africa on Sunday on a record-breaking night for Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
The narrow victory got India off to a winning start in their three-match series after South Africa swept thetwo-match Test series last week. Former captains Kohli and Rohit, who have retired from Tests and Twenty20 internationals, delighted the Ranchi crowd with a 136-run partnership for the second wicket. It was their 20th century stand in ODI cricket, taking them equal second in the all-time list for such partnerships alongside Sri Lankan duo Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan. Only legendary Indian pair Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly have more ODI century partnerships together, with 26.
It was also the 392nd match together for Kohli and Rohit, another record for India, surpassing the 391 matches Tendulkar and Dravid played as teammates.
The latest effort from Kohli and Rohit saw them reach 100 runs together off 85 balls and helped India set a target of 350 that got them the victory despite Corbin Bosch's heroic last-wicket stand for the visitors. India were put to bat after losing their 19th ODI toss in a row, and Yashasvi Jaiswal (18) departed in the fourth over, making way for Kohli. After Tony de Zorzi dropped Rohit in the same over, the veteran duo made few mistakes.
But Rahul (60) helped Kohli steady the ship as the two added 76 runs for the fifth wicket until Kohli mis- timed an effort to hit it over extra cover, and Ryan Rickelton ran in to take the catch with a dive.
Kohli's player-of-the-match knock of 135 from 120 balls, which included seven sixes and 11 fours, gave Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja (32 off 20) the stability they needed to hammer away, as India added 72 runs in the last seven overs to post 8-349.